The NBA's Top 10 Future Stars Age 21 and Younger

Many people do not realize how young some NBA players really are. Their talent for the game surpasses their age and therefore goes unnoticed.

Below is a list of the top 10 best players in the league who are 21 or younger.

10. Russell Westbrook (20 Years Old)

Placed at No. 10, Westbrook will be a great point guard in the years to come. Alongside Kevin Durant, he will grow into one of the best point guards in the Western Conference.

9. Wilson Chandler (21 Years Old)

Chandler has a great NBA body and proves it in his athleticism. Being so young, he has only shown a small side of the future All-Star in him. He is a solid shooter and gets a good amount of rebounds (that will definitely increase) along with his steals and blocks.

8. D.J. Augustin (21 Years Old)

D.J. had a very nice hot streak this season and showed signs of excellence. He is only a rookie, and already has earned a name for himself. Once Augustin begins averaging starter's minutes, his name will grow immensely, pushing him a lot higher on this list.

7. Brook Lopez (20 Years Old)

Lopez already averages nearly a double-double per game in his rookie season and should easily average above 10 points and 10 rebounds per game in the seasons to come. He is a very young big man, standing 7'0″and weighing 260 lbs. Lopez could turn into a Tim Duncan kind of player with nice averages in assists, blocks, rebounds, and points.

6. Spencer Hawes (20 Years Old)

Hawes showed the NBA world what he could do during the first few weeks of the '08-09 season, starting as a replacement for Brad Miller at center. Once Miller gets traded away, Hawes will become the starting center and get his name out there once again to show what he is capable of doing. When starting he has the potential to average close to 20 and 10 a night with many three-pointers and blocks as well.

5. Michael Beasley (19 Years Old)

At the very young age of 19, Beasley still has a lot to learn. He has potential to put up huge numbers and will show the world that he is capable of doing it.

Since he is so young, I do not see him showing his true colors for another season or two, but when he does transform into the player we expect him to, his ranking on this list should skyrocket to No. 1 or No. 2.

4. Andrew Bynum (21 Years Old)

At the young age of 21, Bynum has shown outstanding signs of stardom. After breaking out last season, he injured his knee and was held out for the rest of the season and the playoffs.

He has the potential to turn into a 20 and 10 kind of guy once the spotlight is put on him. Bynum will turn into one of the best big-men in the league during the next few seasons.

3. Derrick Rose (20 Years Old)

The first round draft pick of the 2008 draft has a bright future ahead of him. Already leading the rookie of the year rankings averaging 17 points and six assists per game, Rose has the ability to develop into an even better passer and scorer, becoming a top five point guard in the entire NBA. Remember, he is only 20 years old.

2. O.J. Mayo (21 Years Old)

Already averaging nearly 20 PPG in his rookie campaign, Mayo seeks to become one of the best scorers in the game today. He has taken complete charge as the captain of the team and has great leadership skills.

O.J. will continue to improve his play throughout his career and will definitely average close to 30 PPG by his third season in the league. You can expect O.J. to win lots of scoring titles in the years to come.

1. Kevin Durant (20 Years Old)

Kevin Durant is ranked at No. 1 because of his potential to explode into a superstar in the seasons to come. Standing 6'10" and playing the way he does, Durant is certainly one of a kind. His scoring average will rise greatly in the next season or two and he will become one of the elite players in the NBA.

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